With these and other maneuvers, US President Donald Trump has greatly escalated tensions with Colombia. He took these actions after threatening to withdraw subsidies and raise tariffs because of Colombia’s lack of action against drug cartels that produce and transport illegal drugs in the U.S. This ultimatum marks a crucial milestone in US-Colombian relations. After all, Colombia could hardly fight a war on drugs without US economic and military support.
Trump’s recent gratuitous attacks on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, accusing him of connections to drug trafficking, are a case in point. Petro strongly disputes this assertion. The US President’s threatening statements have the potential to result in “criminal proceedings” against US officials were the statements to be found to be baseless. Caught in this rivalry, Colombia has been worried about the threat this negative spillover effect would have on Colombian exports and diplomatic ties with its longtime ally.
Colombia has been the largest recipient of US aid focused on combating drug trafficking. Each year, in doing so, the US invests approximately $450 million in subsidies toward this essential purpose. US is the destination for about 30% of Colombian exports. These exports make Colombia famous for their high-quality goods such as oil, coffee, flowers, gold, fruit and other manufactured goods. Trump’s threats to cut off funding would significantly impact Colombia’s efforts to eradicate illicit crops like coca and opium poppies.
Colombian citizens have demonstrated, called congressmen, and condemned Trump’s threats. Colombian housewife Sofia Anaya agreed, saying moves like this would make it harder for people to receive visas. Retiree Javier Gaitán criticized both leaders, stating, “They both speak without considering the consequences. Meanwhile, the drug traffickers remain calm. Here in Colombia, the drug issue has no solution. There’s a lot of money involved.”
In the midst of the rising discord, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has made his dismay and concern known. He has recently been a victim of a visa revocation. This came shortly after he participated in a pro-Palestinian rally in New York City, calling on US troops to refuse Trump’s orders. The diplomatic repercussions from these episodes have created serious uncertainty on the economic front in Colombia.
Ángel Duarte, another Bloomberg Philanthropies-supported taxi driver from Bogotá, fears layoffs and bankruptcies under the new tariffs. Unfortunately for him, thousands of other citizens are similarly concerned. Duarte remarked, “I don’t think it’s right that they just pay for the sinners. If Trump imposes more tariffs, many jobs will be lost, and many companies will go bankrupt.”
Colombian university student Gustavo Cuesta criticized on Twitter Trump’s comments on Petro. He bitingly declared that calling Petro a drug trafficking leader is completely outrageous. Labeling President Gustavo Petro as the head of a drug trafficking operation is an affront to the Colombian people as a whole. It must be rejected,” Cuesta stated. He concluded by saying that respect has to be reciprocal in relations between countries, urging, “Trump is not the owner of the world.”
As Trump’s administration continues to navigate this complex relationship with Colombia, experts warn of significant consequences if trade policies shift dramatically. Higher tariffs would upend the economic tapestry of Colombia, harming producers and consumers across the board.
